Dust By Dawn

Summary: Determination to save the victim coursed through her veins, but when she looked up her heart sank. Two sets of blood-red eyes smirked at her. She had jumped right into their trap.

Prologue

The time was ten past eight in the evening. Stars decorated the night's dark tresses to give the appearance of a bejeweled veil, with the thin, low moon an eye squinting over the city. Five young men walked the streets in a line spread across the road from pavement to pavement. Any onlooker would be stunned by their cane-straight backs and the way in which they appeared to glide over the ground.

"That was a good haul last night," commented one in a voice smoother than water. "Seven new recruits - a record made."

"It should have been twelve," snapped another, swiveling his head around so eyes blacker than coal could glare at the shortest member of the group, who walked to his right. Chin-length hair framed his face, which under the passing light of a streetlamp was shown to be classically handsome.

The man on his left protested as they turned a corner in synchronisation. "It's not our fault we were thirsty." His words pierced the December air like thorns.

"Three of us can control our bloodlust," the man with eyes of coal said sharply. "You-"

He was silenced by a quiet hiss. Together, they halted instantly. "I smell blood. Fresh blood." The murmur rose from the barely moving lips of the one who had spoken first, and was quickly snatched by the strengthening wind.

A man with thick black hair sighed heavily from the edge of the line. "Here we go again," he muttered. "Ace, can't you-"

"Shh. It's coming from the alley down there. Ace, let's split up. By the smell of them there are two mortals hiding there. One each, let's go." Both of those with the bloodlust sped off towards the afore-mentioned alley with such speed that they were gone in the blink of an eye, leaving two large gaps in the original line.

The three left behind exchanged glances that could have cut through glass. "If they can't control themselves, we'll run out of mortals to recruit," one muttered.

Two screams pierced the air, but shortly stopped.

The only one who had not yet spoken now broke his silence, light eyes sparking dangerously. "Why does it matter to someone who never gets his own fangs bloody?"

The accused shrugged. "Drake and Zephyra won't be pleased with them."

Before another word could be spoken, the man who stood in the middle growled as his head snapped upwards. Glaring sightlessly at the stars above, neither of the men either side of him dared move while he received his commands from Zephyra. Once released, he led the other two straight to the alley where Ace and Zaen were crouched like animals over the bodies of their prey. Upon Oskar's arrival, their heads shot up. Fresh blood dripped from their fangs, splattering the ground below.

"Ace. Zaen. Zephyra wants us back at base. Now."

Zaen's eyes were a raw, bright red. "What does she want this time?" His growl was guttural and there was not a question in them. His meal had been interrupted - he was angry.

Oskar's eyes didn't stray from Zaen, though every instinct was driving him to join the other predator. "Too many recruits are being dusted by the slayers who recently moved into town," he answered emotionlessly. "Zephyra wants us to do something about it."

Zaen and Ace were on their feet in the blink of an eye, leaving their victims to bleed on the cobbled ground. "We get to bite slayers?" Ace checked. His voice was thick and his eyes as red as Zaen's, but excitement lit his tone.

Oskar narrowed his eyes to slits. "No. They arrived at the beginning of September and have been staking nearly more recruits than we can bite - however recently they stopped slaying. Zephyra thinks they have a plan and she wants us to find out what. Then we can bite them."

"Bring it on," Zaen snarled eagerly. "It's been too long since I tasted slayer blood."

Shweta Somwanshi:
I just chose to read this out of nowhere and now I can't stop. Hats off to the author who made the reader swoon away with words so beautifully! I loved how I was able to imagine everything so explicitly because the writing was simple and easily comprehensive with a touch of complexity somewhere b...

Alkira Joan:
I omg I am honestly speechless I couldn't stop cry it's so sad I wish it had a better ending and they would all be happy and the end is their going to be a second book?thanks for the amaZing story xoxox

Caryn Moy:
Love this series! Very well written, great plot and characters! I love time travel mysteries and this was different from anything I've read in the past! Bring on the sequel!!! I need to see the Compact get squashed!

Giuliana Cassetta:
My face is full of tears, I never cried like now with a book or even a movie. I loved every single chapter. I truly don't know what to say, I'm out of words and my eyes hurt from crying. Such an bittersweet story, it's so wonderful. One of my favorites for sure. Keep it up!

OpheliaJones:
This story took a different kind of spin on the "normal girl lives with definitely not normal guy" plot. The plot points of Frey's father, Liam's family, and Frey's view of Liam's world were good to read. She did not fall in love with him in the first couple weeks. Their lives were not smooth in ...

maewilde25:
I liked this, though it dragged on for over 200pages and heaven knows I did not expect the plot twist in the middle. David being Cristiãn. I was wondering when he would show up and didn't know he was there all along. it looks like there should be a sequel, please let there be a sequel. I know the...

emmaneal74:
I loved this booked. Would definitely buy it when published and read it again. The story flowed in such a way I just couldn't put it down. I was never confused about the characters or their roles in the story which can happen sometimes with so many lead. I'd recommend this to anyone wanting to r...

ynez2005:
I LOVE THIS BOOK SOOOOO MUCH!!!!Though you really need to make another book,more Princesses!!! Whoooo!!!Girl Power!!!Mabey it could even be Devona's BFF???That would make it even better!!!Plus can you pleeease make Akki come back,together with Thea and Authur amd the whole family is back!Other th...

Stephen Warner:
To start off, I am thoroughly impressed. The writing style is somewhat unique, and the plot seemed to move at a nice and steady pace. However, I was not expecting this to be a vampire book! I am usually not one for novels about vampires, but I was pleasantly surprised! You wrote with such grace a...

Ruby0h:
Overall I thought your story was really good! It drew me in right away and kept me interested as the story progressed. I loved the character of Kayla being inserted into this story, and the way she affected and shaped the life of the original story into something totally new and interesting. I lo...

rihannabkj2:
Great story,I can hardly stop reading this novel. it shows that compassion and love can still exist after so many years between two persons. I most say well done to the Author who wrote this book. Others should read this book inorder to know that there can still be LOVE among two persons no matt...

jessiehs:
This was absolutely amazing. I loved how it went back and forth between perspectives. I actually cried at the end I was so happy. This was amazing. I can't even think of another word to describe it. Thank you for writing his.

Alex Rushmer:
This was not what I expected, but I enjoyed it a lot Malfoy was always one of the characters that I liked a lot, so I like that a lot of this happens between him and Colette. I read the first couple chapters, and I enjoyed your writing style and am excited to see where you take this story. My com...

Dessie Williams:
loved the book. the plot the characters all just great.I think it's a must read. once you start this book it's hard to put down. hope it gets published....I think this book is a must read.great job!!!!

SandraHan1:
This story is very descriptive, with vivid scenes from the very beginning, which made for a good scene setting. I love the symbolism in names, such as “Naysayers”, “Hadd”, etc . The story itself is revolutionary, intriguing, emotional and exciting. I was very pleased to see that there is a happy ...

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